10 You-Beaut Barbie Design Tips
Put a little more thought into the way you cook and entertain outside and you'll make the living easy
Australians love a barbecue any time of year, with hardcore barbecue addicts cooking up a storm even when it’s pouring down outside. For them (and let’s face it, at least half of the population), food cooked outside beats the indoor variety hands down. But while it once was ok to simply throw a few sausages on the barbecue out in the backyard, these days people expect a little more sophistication from their alfresco dining experience. Whether you’re cooking inside or out, it makes a huge difference to your enjoyment if you’re comfortable, and protected from the sun, wind and eyes of your neighbours. Moving food and drink between the kitchen and outdoors should be safe and easy, and so should the cooking process itself. On top of all of that, barbecues areas need to look good as well. Sound like a tall order? Not if you follow these simple guidelines.
2. Don’t skimp on space
Is the barbecue area big enough for you and your guests to relax and spread out around a good-sized table? Measuring your dining/entertaining area inside the house will give you an idea of appropriate dimensions for the alfresco dining. Using comfortable outdoor seating, as shown in this Brisbane home, will keep everyone outside for longer.
Is the barbecue area big enough for you and your guests to relax and spread out around a good-sized table? Measuring your dining/entertaining area inside the house will give you an idea of appropriate dimensions for the alfresco dining. Using comfortable outdoor seating, as shown in this Brisbane home, will keep everyone outside for longer.
3. Consider paving carefully
A firm, even ground plane is essential for outdoor tables and chairs. Some paving materials can be affected by cooking fat and soot unless they are sealed, so check with your supplier or contractor.
A firm, even ground plane is essential for outdoor tables and chairs. Some paving materials can be affected by cooking fat and soot unless they are sealed, so check with your supplier or contractor.
4. Give it shelter
A pergola or shade structure over your outdoor living area will provide privacy if your garden is overlooked as well as protection from the elements. This should ideally relate to the architecture of the house and the style of the garden.
A pergola or shade structure over your outdoor living area will provide privacy if your garden is overlooked as well as protection from the elements. This should ideally relate to the architecture of the house and the style of the garden.
5. Light well
The cook will need light to barbecue, but harsh, glaring lights are a definite no-no outside. Low-level lighting is best for outdoor areas with perhaps one or two strategically placed directional lights for cooking.
The cook will need light to barbecue, but harsh, glaring lights are a definite no-no outside. Low-level lighting is best for outdoor areas with perhaps one or two strategically placed directional lights for cooking.
6. Shelter from wind
No-one enjoys cooking or eating in a howling gale so locate the barbie out of the wind. However, remember that barbecues also need some draught to work properly, so avoid spaces that are too confined.
No-one enjoys cooking or eating in a howling gale so locate the barbie out of the wind. However, remember that barbecues also need some draught to work properly, so avoid spaces that are too confined.
7. Build it in
Built in barbecues, work surfaces and storage give outdoor areas a streamlined look and give you more room if space is tight. Built-in barbecues look better though if they harmonise with the rest of the garden. Masonry walls should match existing walls and/or paving materials. Make sure working surfaces are easy to clean and weather-resistant.
Built in barbecues, work surfaces and storage give outdoor areas a streamlined look and give you more room if space is tight. Built-in barbecues look better though if they harmonise with the rest of the garden. Masonry walls should match existing walls and/or paving materials. Make sure working surfaces are easy to clean and weather-resistant.
8. Access over views
Of course, you want to entertain guests where they can enjoy the best view, or perhaps the evening light. But don’t compromise on other essentials such as access to the kitchen and shelter. You can always stroll around the garden and show your guests the view after they’ve eaten.
Of course, you want to entertain guests where they can enjoy the best view, or perhaps the evening light. But don’t compromise on other essentials such as access to the kitchen and shelter. You can always stroll around the garden and show your guests the view after they’ve eaten.
9. Stay warm
An outdoor fireplace, fire pit or brazier adds an element of warmth that can greatly increase your use of the barbecue area, particularly on cooler spring and autumn nights. It’s often not possible to warm your entire outdoor living area but the visual impression of heat is usually enough to seduce people into feeling cosier. Restrictions may be in place for outdoor fireplaces in areas near bush.
An outdoor fireplace, fire pit or brazier adds an element of warmth that can greatly increase your use of the barbecue area, particularly on cooler spring and autumn nights. It’s often not possible to warm your entire outdoor living area but the visual impression of heat is usually enough to seduce people into feeling cosier. Restrictions may be in place for outdoor fireplaces in areas near bush.
10. Add scent
They say that scent has a huge influence on our emotional response to a situation. If you want to create the most relaxing atmosphere possible for your guests, surround your barbecue area with fragrant plants such as boronia, queen of the night (Cestrum nocturnum), daphne, gardenia, Australian frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum), luculia, magnolia, tropical frangipani, Stephanotis or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Planting edibles such as citrus and herbs is another option.
YOUR SAY
What makes a great barbecue?
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9 Ways to Keep Your Barbecue Area in Tiptop Shape
How to Take Your Balcony From Bland to Grand
Outdoor Living Rooms Come of Age
They say that scent has a huge influence on our emotional response to a situation. If you want to create the most relaxing atmosphere possible for your guests, surround your barbecue area with fragrant plants such as boronia, queen of the night (Cestrum nocturnum), daphne, gardenia, Australian frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum), luculia, magnolia, tropical frangipani, Stephanotis or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Planting edibles such as citrus and herbs is another option.
YOUR SAY
What makes a great barbecue?
MORE
9 Ways to Keep Your Barbecue Area in Tiptop Shape
How to Take Your Balcony From Bland to Grand
Outdoor Living Rooms Come of Age
Locating your barbecue area as near as possible to the living room and/or kitchen makes sense on many levels. For obvious reasons, the time involved carrying trays of food and drink between kitchen and barbecue area should be as brief as possible. For the same reasons, you should avoid having to climb up and down loads of steps, or stumble over uneven/slippery footpaths.
The shorter the distance, the better too for linking into existing electricity, gas, water and other services. Being able to expand indoor and outdoor living spaces into one large area gives greater flexibility when entertaining also.